Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber

Holothuria hilla, the Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber, is a distinctively banded yellow and black sea cucumber and one of the most efficient sand-bed cleaners available for reef aquariums. It ingests large volumes of sand, extracts organic detritus and microorganisms, and expels clean, processed sand, significantly improving substrate chemistry and water quality in established reef systems. Like all sea cucumbers, stable tank conditions are critical — evisceration triggered by stress can release toxins that may harm other tank inhabitants.

Provide a sand bed of at least 7 cm depth for natural processing behavior. Ensure all pump and powerhead intakes are covered with fine mesh to prevent injury. Maintain extremely stable water quality — sudden salinity, temperature, or pH swings can trigger evisceration. No supplemental feeding required in a mature, nutrient-rich system. Do not handle unnecessarily or expose to air. Monitor regularly for normal activity and substrate processing.